Do you get excited and scared simultaneously when you think of laser hair removal at home? The thought of making your skin hairless and soft like butter at an affordable price makes you feel all happy.
However, at the same time, the risk of burning your skin or damaging sensitive areas makes you rethink your choices. Well, you can do laser hair removal without burning yourself.
So, let us share what to do before and after laser hair removal at home in this article.
Table of Contents:
Part 1: Why is it Necessary to Do Pre- and Post-Care for Laser Hair Removal at Home?
Part 2: What to Do Before Laser Hair Removal at Home?
Part 3: What to Do After Laser Hair Removal at Home?
Part 1: Why is it Necessary to Do Pre- and Post-Care for Laser Hair Removal at Home?
Although there are several reasons why it is essential to follow a precise skincare routine before and after laser hair removal, let us focus on the two main points to keep the information concise.
To Ensure Skin Safety and Protection During At-Home Laser Hair Removal
First of all, the healthier your skin barrier, the lower the chances of:
- Burning the skin
- Hyper- or hypopigmentation
- Skin irritation
- Pain and discomfort
Also, pre-care for laser hair removal reduces skin tanning and brings out the natural skin tone. Consequently, your skin becomes more compatible with the treatment. So, at-home laser hair removal is safer when your skin is healthy, and pre-care improves its condition.
To Improve the Results of At-Home Laser Hair Removal Devices
Pre-care for the skin enhances the safety of at-home laser hair removal, and post-care helps to provide better results. It also improves comfort. For example:
- Hair shedding after laser is increased
- It helps prepare the skin for the next session
- You can resume your everyday routine sooner
- It reduces the risk of ingrown hairs and strawberry legs
Part 2: What to Do Before Laser Hair Removal at Home?
Below are the 6 pre-care essentials for laser hair removal at home.
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Remove the Hair You Want to Get Rid of
First things first, you cannot simply use an at-home laser hair removal device or IPL directly on thick, coarse hair, as it will singe the hair and burn the underlying skin. So, prepare the treatment area. You can do so by:
- Shaving the hair you want to remove a few hours or immediately before your treatment session
- Avoiding any hair removal methods that impact the roots, such as plucking, waxing, and threading
- Depilatory creams are also not recommended for skin preparation
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Pause Your Skincare Routine with Actives
While preparing your skin for laser hair removal, you must use gentle ingredients and avoid anything that could irritate the skin. The skincare ingredients to avoid include:
- Chemical exfoliants with AHA, BHA, Glycolic Acid, and Lactic Acid
- Retinoids, including tretinoin and adapalene
- Skin brightening ingredients, such as vitamin C and Kojic acid
- Toners with alcohol
Additionally, it is important to avoid these for 1 to 2 days before the laser treatment.
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Take Good Care of Your Skin
While avoiding the skincare ingredients mentioned above, you do not have to stop your skincare entirely. Instead, use mild and gentle products that hydrate and nourish your skin. Experts recommend:
- A gentle face wash with ingredients like aloe vera
- An enriched moisturiser containing ceramides, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid
- Serums with niacinamide and essential oils
- Sunscreens without any irritating chemical filters
That's not all – you must protect your skin from sun rays and tanning as well. For this:
- Apply a generous amount of sunscreen on all body areas exposed to the sun
- Avoid using any artificial tanning lotions and creams
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Make Your OTD Comfortable During Your Treatment Session
Yes, you can dress well and elegantly whenever you want. However, the day of your laser hair removal at home is not the best day to wear tight or uncomfortable clothes. This is because:
- You won't be able to reach the hidden treatment areas
- Clothes touching the skin after the laser treatment may aggravate the after-effects
Therefore, opt for clean, soft, and loose clothing. You can wear your pyjamas or cotton shorts.
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Focus on Your Diet and Hydration
Your gentle skincare routine can do little if your diet is poor. So, the ultimate way to ensure that your skin has a healthy barrier is to treat it from the inside out. The steps to take care of your skin from the outside are already discussed. For the inside:
- Eat protein-rich meals like eggs, meat, and fish
- Incorporate fruits and vegetables in your diet, as they are rich in vitamins and minerals
- Drink at least 2 litres of water every day and enjoy fresh juices
Things to avoid while preparing your skin for laser include:
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Smoking
These can cause dehydration, which can impair the skin's health.
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Ensure That Your Skin is Clean and Free of Dead Cells and Accumulated Oils
Laser hair removal works best when its target is clear. A layer of dead skin cells, impurities, and oils on the skin can affect the efficacy of the laser by interfering with the path of the rays to the hair follicles.
Therefore, exfoliate your skin a few days before the treatment day. Afterward, a simple cleanse of the treatment area is sufficient immediately before the at-home laser hair removal session.
Part 3: What to Do After Laser Hair Removal at Home?
As we have already mentioned, post-care plays a vital role in achieving the best results. Here's what you should do after completing your at-home laser hair removal session:
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Calm Your Skin Down
Since laser hair removal works by converting light rays into heat at the level of the hair follicles, your skin may feel hot and tender following the session. This can also lead to redness.
The first thing you should do is apply a cold compress to help balance the heat on your skin. To do this:
- Take ice cubes and a clean cloth
- Wrap the cubes in the cloth
- Apply it to the treatment area for a few minutes
If this feels cumbersome, you can purchase a cold compress from the store instead.
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Pamper the Skin
After your at-home laser hair removal session, it's essential to pamper your skin with gentle care:
- Apply a body or face lotion with soothing ingredients to the treatment area
- Cleanse your skin with a mild, gentle cleanser and lukewarm water post-laser
- Ensure that your skin stays dry and free of moisture and sweat
- Apply sunscreen if you need to go outside
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Keep Your Hands Off the Treatment Area
It's natural to experience itching in the treatment area after an at-home laser hair removal session. This may tempt you to scratch for temporary relief. However, it's crucial that you avoid touching your skin, especially scratching it, no matter how uncomfortable it feels.
Scratching can lead to increased redness, irritation, and even potential infection. A cold compress can help soothe the area, and you may also want to apply a prescription cream if recommended by your dermatologist.
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Avoid Anything That Increases Your Skin Temperature
The laser treatment has already raised the temperature of your skin, so it's important not to add to that. Therefore, you should avoid anything that can elevate your body temperature or make you sweat.
Things to avoid include:
- Showers or baths with warm water
- Saunas, steam rooms, and spas
- Intense exercise
- Exposure to excessive sunlight
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Do Not Go Anywhere Near Chemicals
Just as you avoid products with harsh active ingredients before your laser hair removal session, you must also stay away from certain chemicals after the treatment. For the first 24 to 48 hours, follow these guidelines:
- Avoid wearing makeup, as it can clog pores
- Do not apply deodorant or perfume
- Avoid swimming, as pools contain chlorine
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Do Not Remove the Shedding Hair
Lastly, it's important to note that not all hair will be removed in a single session. You will need multiple sessions of at-home laser hair removal, typically spaced a few days apart. During this time, you may experience hair shedding.
Remember, shedding occurs as a natural result of hair follicles being treated. You don't need to do anything — simply allow the hair to shed on its own. If you wish to groom the treated area, you may shave, but avoid plucking or waxing, as these methods can stimulate hair follicles to produce new hair, and may reduce the effectiveness of the laser treatment.
Consistency with your at-home laser hair removal routine is key to achieving the best results.
Conclusion
The benefits of at-home laser hair removal make it well worth the minor risks involved. But who says you can't minimise those risks? By following the proper treatment guidelines, you can easily avoid side effects.
This article has highlighted the key do's and don'ts before and after your laser hair removal treatment, ensuring you achieve the best results with minimal aftereffects.
